MOBILE, Alabama – Before you head over to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church for the 51st annual Greek Fest this weekend, here’s a quick pronunciation refresher: “ya-soo” or "ya-sass" for hello; “para-kalo” for “please”; and “eff-harry-stow” for “thank you.”

That’s really most of the vocabulary you’ll need to enjoy one of Mobile’s best fall festivals, held at the Midtown church at 50 S. Ann St. Last year, about 14,000 either came through the drive-through or ventured inside for the dancing, food and shopping.

For 2013, the organizers have streamlined a few setups to make it easier and faster to get to the food, said Robert Vrocher, festival chair.

The multiple lines for tickets, food and drinks have been simplified, he said, and those in a hurry may now order entry tickets and food ahead of time on the website, www.greekfestmobile.org.

At “Ya-ya’s kitchen,” patrons can buy take-home frozen dinners for eight to 12 people – pastichio, which is similar to lasagne, and Grecian green beans, and also those tasty filo dough pastries, spanakopita and tiropita.

There are four types of dinner plates at the festival – chicken, lamb, pastichio and dolmathes – but don’t skip the “fast food” faves: gyros (lamb in a pita wrap), souvlakia (pork shish-ka-bobs) and kalamari (fried squid).

Ah yes, and then there are the pastries: Baklava, almond cookies, butter cookies, deep fried pastry dough and more, all available for instant sweet tooth relief and also packaged for takeouts. This year, the pastries are packaged in clear clamshell boxes instead of white platters, Vrocher said. “It has more of a bakery feel to it.”

The popular drive through on the corner of Azalea and Ann streets is back; hours are 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Vrocher said. Patrons may call ahead at 251-438-9888 for 10 or more dinners.

There is a $5 fee for the back yard play area for children, filled with a variety of inflatables from Jumps-A-Lot.

Self-guided church tours are available during festival hours, and guided tours with a question-and-answer session are daily at 1, 3 and 6:30 p.m. A display of the seven sacraments celebrated in the Orthodox religion will be open for viewing in the church as well.

Admission to the festival is $2, and all admission proceeds will go to eight local charities and nonprofits: the Alabama School of Math and Science, the Bay Area Food Bank, Catholic Social Services, Penelope House, Philoptochos, Victory Health Partners, Woody’s Song and Young Life.